UNCTAD partners with developing countries to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the areas of transport infrastructure, trade facilitation and logistics, related administrative, procedural and legal frameworks, and customs automation.

UNCTAD's work in the field of transport and trade facilitation includes:

Research and analysis

Dissemination of information on recent developments

Providing advice to developing countries when formulating and implementing policies and programmes

Assisting in the development and implementation of national legal frameworks in line with international legal instruments and standards, and providing support to developing countries in the context of multilateral negotiations

Providing technical assistance in the field of transport and trade facilitation

Providing technical assistance, training and advanced software solutions for modernisation of Customs Administrations' clearance procedures and systems, in line with international standards and best practice

The entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement is imminent. Only three more ratifications are needed. For developing countries that have ratified or will ratify the Agreement the entry into force results in important obligations.

Seeking ways to boost its economy, the East African nation of Sudan aims to remove unnecessary costs and reduce the time to trade across its borders by 40%, boosting exports by at least 25% by the end of 2021, according to a new plan launched by the Sudan Working Group on Trade Facilitation in December 2016.

This year's Review of Maritime Transport, launched on 7 November, highlights that 2015 was another difficult year for the shipping industry, with continued overcapacity and historically low freight rates.